Matilda Osburn Swanson, 86, of Chickamauga, died Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, at Parkside Nursing Home in Fort Oglethorpe after a brave and lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.

She was born May 24, 1927, to the late Lester and Ethel Broome Osburn, formerly of Chickamauga. She was a lifelong resident of Chickamauga, where she graduated from Gordon Lee High School in 1945 and then worked as a nurse for Dr. Roy Pope. She and her late husband, Doris White “D.W.” Swanson, owned and operated Swanson’s Dairy Farm. After the death of her husband, she enjoyed substitute teaching at Gordon Lee High School. She also enjoyed traveling with friends throughout the continental United States. She was a member of Elizabeth Lee United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her oldest son, Robert Edward Swanson.

Survivors include: a son, Wayne and Malivia Swanson of Rabun Gap; a daughter-in-law, Karen Rawls Swanson of Surfside Beach, S.C.; a sister, Bertha Baker of Ringgold; a grandson, Bob and Cherabeth Swanson of Chickamauga; along with nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind devoted friends, neighbors and caregivers who were like family to her.

The family is very appreciative and forever grateful for the dedication and devotion of the staff and nurses during the seven years that Mrs. Swanson lived at Parkside Nursing Home. Visit “http://www.heritagefh.com/”www.heritagefh.com to view the memorial tribute and share condolences with the family.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Heritage Funeral Home in Fort Oglethorpe. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at LaFayette Memory Gardens followed by a service of remembrance at 4 p.m. Saturday at Elizabeth Lee United Methodist Church in Chickamauga with the Rev. Rick Maeser officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Elizabeth Lee United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 126, Chickamauga, GA 30707.

Heritage Funeral Home in Fort Oglethorpe was in charge of arrangements.